Once again, how much do I love my job?! Jessica Beebe, owner of  Sugardarlings Cones and Cupcakes reached out and asked if I would please consider being a judge for their Great American Bake Sale "Cupcake Wars" competition this Sunday starting at noon. We’ll be at their Palm Harbor Store in Ridgemoor Commons, and the judging will take place between noon and 1 pm. But you’re welcome to drop in anytime between noon and 4 pm. Like to bake? Sugardarlings is looking for local, amateur bakers to compete in three categories; Chocolate Lovers, Flavorful Fruits, and Exotic. Why does that last one scare me? Hey, I’ve watched Andrew Zimmern. There is a $10 submission fee per flavor category. Minimum 1 dozen cupcakes must be submitted. Cupcakes will be judged on the following criteria:
-Icing/Filling = 10 points
-Flavor/Texture of Cake = 10 points
-Presentation & Display = 10 points

CUPCAKE EATING CONTEST!!
Here's their cupcake eating contest rules: the first to finish all six cupcakes as soon possible will be declared the winner!!!!

- First come, first eligible to enter.
- Maximum of 20 people can participate.
- You must be 16 years and older.
- Registration fee is $5.00
- Registrants must sign up at The event no later then 1pm.
- Only entire cupcakes eaten will be counted
- Water or Milk will be provided to each contestant
- In the event of a tie – whichever one of the tied contestants displays the biggest cupcake-filling smile will be announced the winner of the contest.
- Any visible signs of sickness will cause disqualification.
- All contestants prior to the start of the contest must sign a completed registration form with acknowledgement of the waiver.

  I’ve worked for the Great American Bake Sale in the past because of who benefits; Share Our Strength, who’s goal simply stated, is "No Kid Hungry." All proceeds from the Sale will go to Share Our Strength. Think about this statistic and put a face on it. One if every five children will go to bed hungry tonight, and that means there’s a strong chance you know that child. If a simple donation can make a difference, why not do that and have a little fun with us at the same time? C’mon, it’s Sunday, it’s fun, it’s delicious and for a few hours calories don’t count. Defeating childhood hunger does. Want to give it your best shot in a cupcake eating contest? How about ditching the usual makeup and have your face painted, and just enjoy the day with the family. We apologize in advance for any sugar rushes...but not really! And for a little additional icing on the cupcake, I’ll bring along a special gift basket from our friends at Domino who also generously support Share Our Strength and The Great American Bake Sale. My basket will feature the new Domino Light Sugar and Stevia Blend. Please contact Jessica Beebe right now for details and to register. We’ll feature the winners in Kelly’s Kitchen too!

R.C.S. CHILI COOKOFF EVENT CHANGE UPDATE 

   As a member of the Board of Directors of Religious Community Services, I wanted to make sure you knew the new date for the Chili Cook Off and Blue Jays Game, the with Jays taking on the Charlotte Hornets at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Douglas Avenue in Dunedin.The date is now Sunday, July 29. The gates open at 4:00 and the game starts at 5:00, tickets to the game are $5.00 or $10.00 for the game and all you can eat chili! The R.C.S. Food Bank will receive $3.00 for every ticket sold by July 26, so I encourage you purchase your tickets NOW! If you are unable to attend but would like to help out, consider buying a block of tickets that could be used by children in the R.C.S. programs. And of course, you can enter the Chili Cook Off as well. The mission of R.C.S. is to feed the hungry, help homeless families return to self sufficiency and empower victims of domestic violence. If you cannot be there in person, be there in spirit with your donation. And thank you.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN 

"Under pressure, men drink alcohol & invade other countries; women eat cupcakes and go shopping" - Princess Cupcake, via Cupcake Forum